The 'lobbying' loop

Walmart, the $444-billion US retail chain, filed 29 lobbying disclosures with the US Senate for domestic and foreign markets between 2008 and 2012 — a period during which India was part of its agenda. The disclosure it made in the third quarter of 2012 shows “discussions related to FDI in India” as one of the 12 items listed for lobbying. But Walmart is in good company. Documents with the US House of Representatives reveal at least 27 Indian companies have over the years spent thousands of dollars on lobbying in the US — for issues ranging from visa to exploring defence market. A look at some of the prominent names:(Click on graphic)